Minneapolis shooting victims fighting for lives named as boy, 13, and girl, 12

Two children left fighting for their lives after the horror Minneapolis shooting have been named for the first time.

Endre Gunter, 13, and Sophia Forchas, 12, have been left in a critical condition in hospital after 23-year-oldshooter Robin Westman opened fire in the Annunciation Catholic School and Church yesterday before turning the gun on himself. Two children, aged eight and 10, died in the shooting.

Today, officials confirmed a total of 15 children aged six to 15 were injured, in addition to three parishioners in their 80s. It has since emerged that Sophia's mum, a paediatric critical care nurse, had rushed to the hospital to help with the emergency response before realising it was her child'sschool which had been attacked, and that her daughter had been critically injured.

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Sophia's brother - who was also inside the school at the time of the shooting - has been left 'traumatised' by the incident, according the girl's family, who have now set up a GoFundMe page to help pay towards medical costs.

The wrote on the fundraiser: "Sophia was shot during the attack and is currently in critical condition in the ICU. She has already undergone emergency surgery, and her medical team is doing everything they can to stabilize her. Her road ahead will be long, uncertain, and incredibly difficult — but she is strong, and she is not alone.

"Adding to the heartbreak, her younger brother was also inside the school during the shooting. Though he was physically unharmed, the trauma of witnessing such a terrifying event — and knowing his sister was critically injured — is something no child should ever experience.

"Furthermore, her mother, a Paediatric Critical Care nurse, arrived at work to help during the tragedy, before knowing it was her children’s school that was attacked, and that her daughter was critically injured. Her parents are by her side, holding onto hope while also trying to support their son through the emotional aftermath. The financial strain is enormous: ongoing ICU care, future surgeries, trauma counselling, lost income, travel, and the countless unknowns that lie ahead."

Another GoFundMe page has been set up for 13-year-old Endre, who was "tragically shot twice" by Westman. He was rushed into emergency surgery, and is currently recovering in hospital.

Danielle Gunter, Endre’s mother, told local reporters: "Our hearts are shattered — not only for him, but for everyone who was harmed. We grieve and we pray: for the others who were shot, for their families, and for those who lost loved ones."

Today, Minneapolis police chief Brian O'Hara said suspect Westman did not have an extensive known criminal history, and is believed to have acted alone. He told NBC's Today show: "Everything we've seen so far is a classic pathway to an active shooter."

Investigators have recovered hundreds of pieces of evidence from the church and three residences, and are seeking warrants to search devices, the chief said. Federal officials have referred to Westman as transgender, and Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey slammed hatred being directed at "our transgender community" following the shooting.